order the business meeting and truth and taxation hearing for the Fairbell Public School Board here on December 1st, 2025 uh here at the district office. As I said, we welcome those of you in attendance and those of you watching online. Uh, Director Steves, do we have a quorum
present? >> Yes, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you. Would everyone please stand for the pledge of >> allegiance? Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under
God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Agenda item number two is approval of the agenda. Is there a motion for approval of the agenda with flexibility, please? >> So moved. >> Thank you, Director Steves. Is there a
second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Director Kudson. Any discussion? Discussion. Discussion. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion passes. So with
flexibility again as you see in the uh agenda, agenda item number three is is the truth and taxation meeting that will start at 6:00. So we will move to agenda item number four. Our recognition, awards and presentations. Uh tonight we have the youth
participatory action research, the Wi-Fi project. Our presenters are uh our youth engagement coordinator and peer group connection advisor Ashlin Zurigan along with uh ECLE Whitney Huberty, Brianna
Velquz, and Amir Williams. So if you'd like to come forward up there and >> we'll share the mic as you go along as said. Thank you. >> Are you
>> You want another chair? >> Thank you. you you may sit, stand. >> Nice. >> Whatever you're most comfortable with. >> Hi. Um, good evening. Um, thank you so much for this opportunity, uh, for allowing these students to be here
tonight. Um, before they introduce themselves, I will introduce myself. I am Ashen Zerberan. I'm the youth engagement coordinator for the school district. Um, I primarily work at the high school. Um, I also teach PGC with Amelia Kudson. Um, but these four
amazing students here, they were allowed this opportunity through through um, Carlton College this summer. So, they started this project this summer and they finished this fall. And so, they will introduce themselves and uh, tell you a little bit more about YPAR. Thank
you. >> Um, as many of you may know, I am Issa Ali. I am in 12th grade. What is YPAR? YAR stands for youth perspect participatory action research short for
PAR. YPAR is an innovative approach to perspect to particip positive youth and community development in which young people are trained to conduct systematic research to improve their lives. in which young people are trained to in to conduct systematic research to
improve their lives, their community, and their institutions to serve them. >> Hello, my name is Brianna Velasquez Sanchez and I'm a senior. >> Hi, I'm Whitney Huberty and I'm a junior. >> Hi, my name is Amira Williams and I'm a
junior. And so just like Issa introduced what YAR is, we had the chance to um execute research ourselves. So we got together and chose a topic that really interests us and especially something that we felt
like that we lack that especially within our school. And we decided to choose the topic of peer mentorship. And truly what peer mentorship is is building that connection with a peer who has more experience or less experience and who is willing to drive you through that experience that they have gone through
before. And we chose this topic because as a student body we realized that we truly do struggle with the connections between our ninth graders and our upper classmen. And throughout our research, we also realized that the class peer group connection PGC has proven to be a core class in our school to help make
those connections between our ninth graders and our upper classmen. And really truly PGC allows for our ninth graders to feel like they can rely and count on someone. So throughout this research, we really realized the importance of again youth um peer mentorship, excuse me, and the importance of making those connections
and relationships with our upper and underassmen and connecting them together. All right. So research from Harvard University shows that school mentorship improves academic outcomes such as grades and attendance and it also helps
improve social skills, so coming more out of their shell. And also helps having like a older mentor to help guide you for the future. Um and uh like Reese said uh we have PGC and
then also Big Brothers Big Sisters. And um that's when a high school student is um matched up with an elementary student and the older student guides them uh through childhood. >> All right. So earlier this earlier this
spring last year we had um last school year we had conducted a um survey as um PGC leaders and we had found that 71.4% of students learn from outreaches
um from outreaches they have um gained lessons and they have gained lessons from us. They also have shown grow more growth with being able to connect with their peers themselves because they are with the group and um they have developed a
pretty good relationship with the upper classman that was assigned to their group and then just kind of more of an explanation of what PGC so peerroup connection also known as PGC is developed by center for supportive schools and it's an evidence-based school program that trains older
students to mentor younger students and primarily focusing on facilitating the transition addition to high school for 9th graders. And really who leads this program at our school is Mrs. Z and Miss Kudson. And this is through a two-year grant from Center for Supportive Schools
as long as help and support from Mrs. Borca. So here's our own personal experiences with PGC. So, some of our reasonings were joining PGC is great because you
can be a mentor and um they really wish that they had a mentor their nth grade year to help them through high school and make some more friends and also connect with more teachers and kind of come out of their bubble and shell.
Oh, yeah. And here's some photos um of PGC at the high school. Uh but we want to leave you with the question of uh who was a mentor in your life during your high school years that left a lasting impact? And if you can't think of anyone, uh do you believe that
peer mentorship is valuable? Uh whether it is someone who helped you in the past or currently right now, mentors encourage you to become a better version of yourself. Uh to provide feedback and watch you grow. We believe that PGC is crucial at FHS and we would love your
support for peer mentorship to continue to so we can build positive relationships. We would like to thank all of you for your time and if you guys have any questions, we would love to answer any. >> Thank you so much. Uh board members
questions, comments. >> Director Rob? >> Sure. I'll ask your first question. It was so long ago that I was in high school. I don't remember if I had a mentor or not. So, um, but yes, in response to your question, I think it's
critically important to have a peer uh and somebody whom you can relate with and they can relate with as they uh navigate through their school experience. And one other comment, you're to be respected and and commended
for not reading the PowerPoint to us, but actually presenting to us. Um I've seen too many people saying you know here you already spoke with us and that appreciate that very much. Thank you. >> Thank you
>> Director Kudson. >> So um I've seen UPGC students in in um the work that you're doing and I know that it's a big time commitment and I think you're um just doing great um working together and making
presentations. And last year I saw a PGC group and it was surprising to me how receptive the ninth graders were to the older students. So I think it you're doing a great job. >> Director Moore. >> Uh yes. First of all, I want to thank
you for handing out hard copies because sometimes the um when you look at a screen and I broke my computer so but my screen is, you know, it's it's hard on the eyes. So I really appreciate that and it's in bigger print. Uh yes and and
as far as um mentoring uh I went from uh a country school which about 15 students to it to ninth grade and I think that was the worst year of my life and I really could have used a peer mentor back then. So I think this is a really
great program and I want to thank you for that and I want to thank you for your research on that. You present it quite well and thank you >> director Wolf. Uh yeah, just a big thank you to students and the two uh leaders that are leading the PGC. Just a
question, the four of you, do you have any like kind of ahas from this? This is year one, is that correct >> or year two? >> I am a two-year. >> Year are all of you year two? >> Two year, >> one year. So do you do you have any ahas from last year or this year that were
just kind of eye opening for you as you've been part of this? For me, it would probably be in the sense of like uh teaching. It would be like how like different students like are receptive in their own ways and like just trying to navigate that and how it can be
different from day to day. So like just taking that into account when I come in and like just trying to be positive because we usually have our outreaches in the morning and it's like not always the happiest time and there's not necessarily a happy image of going to school. So just trying to create that
like caring community for them to come to every two weeks this year I think is really helpful for them. >> For me um since it is my first year I've truly enjoyed the program so far. But my aha moment was probably when like going through the different outreaches and
just seeing how differently the ninth graders can react. So sometimes they have good days, sometimes they have bad days. Kind of going back to what Issa said. Um, but it's really tr truly learning um how to adapt to that and learning how to lead in those different situations, especially when you're nth
graders at different points in their lives with different experiences and different backgrounds. >> So I I have a multi- question here. So not having this when you came to the high school as freshman. So some of the questions and concerns you had as students
and now as you're a mentor, a leader, are they the same? Have they changed? How did you handle it compared to how you're guiding other students to handle this now? >> So I could start. So a lot I could say
that the building that I came into and the building that I am in today is really and truly different and that is ultimately thanks to you guys. We have had a great year so far. So some of those concerns are not the same. But I still do believe that like the ninth
graders are still dealing with some of those like maybe like social or like some of those relationships that they're trying to navigate and how to like set them on the right path. and I believe is still the same because in the end of the day like the maturity level like I don't think really has changed between the nth
graders today and us if you know what I mean. >> Yeah. So, at the end of last year, uh, we had the ninth graders take some surveys. And so, one of the questions on the surveys was, "What do you enjoy most
about participating in PGC?" And it was talking and understanding other people in the group. I'm learning about more people and what they've been through and done. Being able to connect with more people and other people I normally wouldn't talk to, feeling more
comfortable for everybody. Um, but answering your question, I think for me not having uh PGC, I most of my questions went to like captains of teams and stuff in sports, but I mean some kids aren't into sports or, you know, do
other activities and having a leader set up already in the school and in the learning um, you environment I think is very helpful and those questions can be answered rather than going you know through a bunch of different people. So
yeah and then as for me as a ninth grader I felt like I really couldn't reach out to anyone like I had my older sister but like we have our different experiences so it's not the same. Um, but now like being a mentor and like being a leader within this program within PGC, it
really is all about like paying it back. So, kind of going like through what I like experience, I want to give back to the ninth graders what I didn't get to experience and just being again in PGC has really allowed me to do that and I really appreciate it for that.
>> Excellent. Anyone else? >> M. Mr. Chairman, I would just like to thank you all of you for doing that, for helping others to get more connected and help them go go through challenges they may have. I think it's so important. And
when I was in high school, no, I did not have a mentor, but I wish I did. And I thank you for what you're doing. >> Thank you. >> Let's give him a round of applause, SHALL WE?
THANK YOU FOR COMING in this evening. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate it. >> Next, we'll move on to agenda number five. Uh items of information. I'm assuming there's not a school board representative. You say you're you say you're gonna
Okay. Do you want to jump in and do this quick? >> I'm not going to give you any rest. >> Go ahead. >> All right. I would just like to say um good afternoon as the school board representative. What I would like to report on today is the success of our
Falcon flight path speaker events during Falcon support time on Wednesday mornings. We have hosted a variety of speakers from different careers including piloting, entrepreneurship, um finance and law enforcement. Even though these sessions are optional, we
have had strong turnouts. We have seen many of uh many of um my fellow students go to these like looking to see what they can do in the future. In addition, this week we we will we will be having a career day on Friday where many speakers from a wide range of
professions will be presenting to all grade levels. Our ninth graders will also be having their career navigator field trip um to South Central this Friday as well. And lastly, I would like to invite all of you guys to come to our charity basketball donkey basketball game. I
believe maybe on Wednesday, don't quote me on that, where we'll be having students face each other in teams and also against the staff to raise money for toys for tots. And it will be proudly organized by our student council. >> Thank you.
>> Great. >> So, we'll we'll we'll get the date to that donkey basketball and make sure it's put out to board members. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay, keeping in mind the time since we will start truth and taxation at 6,
we'll move to uh items of information. Uh schoolboard members, anyone have anything here? Director Moore? >> Um I have a few things and I'll try to be fast here. Uh, first of all, I I do want to thank you, Chair Bellingham, and for the opportunity to speak at the
beginning of the meeting versus at the end. Uh, thank you for that. Also, I'd like to thank the Farbo Daily News for covering our many concerns. I do appreciate that. Uh, I I feel there needs to be a clarification, however, that on the Farbo Daily News reported, I
voted no on the audit due to not having enough time to read it. That is true, but it's only half the story. And so I think some context is needed. Uh last Monday at about 11:00 a.m. we received 140 plus pages of documents related to
the revised budget, communications letter, audit, etc. Uh that we were to vote on later that same day. Uh granted, the audit uh was about 15 pages with text, graphs, and pie charts. However,
the audit audit um should be perused in conjunction with other budgetary documents that were down downloaded that day. So, yes, this was a a revised budget, but it still needs to be gone over in detail and that takes time. The
bottom line is uh I will not rubber stamp something that I have not thoroughly reviewed. Also in the future, I want to see a detailed account of the programs implemented since COVID along with positions hired and salaries
benefits. And with our achievement numbers these past few years, I think we need to show accountability as to the dollars spent and most importantly are these increasing our achievement scores. Uh I have a few other comments and I'll try
to be quick about it. Um, I have some concerns about the current whole school, whole community, whole child whisk approach that's implement implemented by Farbo public schools as well as our alliance or partnership with
Healthfinders. Uh, Healthfinders does have a clinic at Farbo High School and I asked some questions via email a while back of Superintendent Benty regarding HealthFinders. Question one, are
students under 16 ever seen without parental knowledge consent? And the answer in part was yes, regarding pregnancy related care, which is prenatal and postpartum and pregnancy prevention.
Question two, I said clinics are denying parents access to records as young as 12. Is that happening? And are we compliant? Superintendent Benny did not directly answer if we are compliant, but did say
some clinics um use adolescent confidentiality practices around age 12, which is consistent with clinical guidelines. The above rule is what healthfinders follow. And I I think too, I believe the Farbo
Daily News reported that Benty uh that Mr. Superintendent Benty denied this allegation, but from this email uh that is incorrect and I hope that they uh correct that statement. To recap, Healthfinders can withhold
parental knowledge by age 12. So if a 12, 13, 14y old gets pregnant, the parents aren't notified. Is that correct? I'm not sure. Uh that is disconcerting. Secondly, I'm having a major problem with the WHISK program, especially as it
relates to the referral system for sexual health services. Uh, one of WHISK priorities is to increase referrals of students to school-based and communitybased school health providers and to increase
the number of sexually active adolescents receiving sexual health services. Remember now a student who is pregnant doesn't need parental knowledge or consent. I guess my questions are regarding the healthfinders clinic at
farable uh public schools and whisk. Do we do these services noting lack of parental consent involve contraception, abortion or any kind of gender care? I think it's important for these answers uh these questions to be answered by
your superintendent or administration. Um, also, uh, have the schools been transparent with parents and taxpayers about all of this? I think we need to be. And by the way, I was told that, uh, Healthfinders, I assume via teleaalth
will be expanding to all fair public school buildings. And finally, um, the fact that we're talking children as young as 16 years and even as young as 12 can get health services without parental consents is is
just ludicrous to me. We're talking 12 year olds here. We've got to let that sink in. 12 year olds. If federal or state laws won't protect a 12-year-old child, we have an ethical and moral obligation to do so. You know,
we can hide behind the federal and state laws, but we can't behind hide behind God's laws. What you do to the least. I I would like some answers to this because it seems a little confusing and I'd like them soon. I thank you, Mr. Chair, for allowing me to speak and I
thank the Farbo Daily News for their coverage. Thank you. >> Any other items of information, board members? Um just to reiterate uh Lisa's uh commentary on Friday's event. Um so
there is uh 19 or 20 business professionals that will be presenting to our students. Um so they'll be talking about their career paths um how they got to where they are um from a variety of um local businesses. So we're really
excited about that. Director Wolf. >> Uh, Mr. Chair, I've been fortunate enough to be able to attend a couple of the uh recent girls home basketball games and uh for those of you in the audience and those of you online, school
board members, I would encourage you to go attend high school events. Um, winter season is kicked off and in full swing. And I know the girls have a home basketball game tomorrow night. I know the boys have their first home game on Thursday night. I can't speak to the other sports. Um, Amamira had to leave
tonight, but I was in attendance last week when she scored her 1,000th point. You were there as well, so it was a great thing. They got a win, a two-point win. She scored her thousand's point with about a minute and a half to go or whatever. But congratulations to her. And um, yeah, just encourage people to
go watch these young students uh, out there playing their hearts out. >> Thank you. So, in looking at the clock, Mr. Benty, I know you're next. I think I'm going to switch to the get ready for the truth
and taxation meeting. So, we'll put that on on hold here. Just a couple of items of information um before I call that meeting to order. The um the truth and taxation hearing is for
the for the 2025 payable 2026 property tax levy and budget. This hearing is required under Minnesota statute 275.065, which ensures that the public has an opportunity to learn about and respond
to the district's proposed tax levy and budget uh for the upcoming year. Uh before we begin, I wanted to remind everyone that anyone wishing to speak during the hearing should have signed up before the meeting started. This allows us to conduct an orderly hearing, ensure
everyone uh is has requested an has a fair and reasonable opportunity to be heard. However, due to us starting a half hour after our board meeting, if there's anyone present who intended to speak but yet has not signed up, would you please do do so now with uh the
board secretary uh Jamie Kenny? So, if anyone wishes to do that, just wanted to throw out that opportunity uh there as well. So during tonight's hearing, the district will present information about how the proposed levy will present information about the
proposed levy, how it is calculated, what has changed, and how it supports our educational programs and operations. After the presentation, we'll invite speakers in the order listed on the signup sheet in accordance with schoolboard policies 206 and 207.
Speakers will be recognized one at a time. Comments must relate to the proposed property tax levy and budget. Personal attacks, private personnel or student matters or disre disruptive conduct will not be permitted. School board values community input and all
comments will be taken into consideration as we move forward uh with final certification of the levy. Thank you for being here and thank you for your engagement in Fairbell public schools. And now we're going to wait. Officially has
to be 6:00. So I read too fast. So we will wait minute and a half or so that. >> Thank you. Okay, it is 6 o'clock. So, I call to order the Federal Public Schools truth
and taxation hearing for the 2025 payable and 2026 property tax levy and budget. Um we will now be uh thank you for being here and your engagement in Fairville public schools. We will now begin the presentation. Miss Raceler. >> Thank you Chair Benty uh board members
and superintendent uh Benty. I think I just said chair Benty. Chair Bellingham. >> Thank you. >> Um yes. Uh tonight we will be going over the um public hearing for the taxes payable in 2026. So to start off our presentation, there
is some truth and taxation law items. We have to have a public meeting. We must announce date time. Um we are having the meeting between November 25 and December 30 at 6:00 and mailing of the notices as
uh shown on the screen. The public hearing requirements states that we have to talk about the 202526 budget. this proposed um property tax levy and then we also have to allow for um comments
from the public. Um so this next slide just talks about um points to remember. Um public schools are funded by the federal government, state government, local fees and local taxpayers through property taxes with
the state of Minnesota being the largest of those um funding sources. uh state legislature determines the revenue formula except for voter approved referenda, local levy and state aid. And then uh it is important to
remember that an increase in local taxes does not necessarily mean an increase in revenue for a school district. This next slide I think really points out how involved the school district is with uh property taxes. The only item
that the school board really has anything to do with is highlighted in yellow there. Step number six. So we have the city and county county assessor in step one that gives the values of the property. The legislator sets the formulas for the tax capacity. The
county auditor then calculates what that capacity is. The legislature sets the uh district levy limits and then MDE calculates the detailed levy for each district. The only step the school board
really gets to do is to um is to adopt the proposed levy in September. And we did that when we said we wanted uh the maximum and then we adopt the final uh dollar value for that levy in December. And that's what we'll be doing here
tonight. From there, then the county auditor divides the final levy. So, uh, what we're talking about tonight is our current levy is, uh, 2025 payable 26. So, that means it's certified in
calendar year 2025. The taxes are collected in 2026 and we recognize the revenue in fiscal year 27. Again, authority for school levies is set by the state and anything that is board approved. This next uh slide is
one that is quite popular with school districts because it shows how far behind uh the state is with their formula allowance per pupil unit. So, right now the funding trails inflation by almost $1,470
per pupil unit or 19.7%. So, right now the uh per pupil unit is $7,481 and had they kept uh pace with inflation it would be well over $8,000. Next then we'll talk a little bit about
our uh budget as that is part of what is required during this meeting. Uh what you are seeing here then is uh actually also what was discussed last week when we talk about our FY25 actual uh um where we ended fiscal year 25 with our
actuals that was uh communicated during the audit presentation. The next column then just simply shows where we are at with our F FY26 adopted budget. That is the budget that I used was the original adopted budget
when when presenting this data. Uh what you are seeing then is just a general summary of each fund uh that we have in budget. So our general food service, community ed, etc. So the total of all
funds for revenues in uh FY25 was uh almost $80 million at $79,924073. For FY26 we uh projected 80,308228 or an increase of 048% in revenue.
And here then is a pie chart that kind of describes where we are getting our dollars from. So, as you can see, 78% of our dollars come from the state, uh 15% from local property tax, 4% from the
federal, and then our local uh local sources or fees, those different kinds of things comes in at 3%. And this is very similar to what we saw in prior years. The next slide then just simply goes through our expenditure summary. same
layout where we're seeing what we actually had in FY25 versus what we uh had for a proposed budget in FY uh 26 with our adopted budget. And you can see then um looking at all of the uh funds
um that our expenditures are set to increase about 1.51% over um over our expenditures from the prior year. Um again then looking at uh the uh pie
chart um what we are seeing here is that our um our greatest asset if you will our staff um is the lion share of where we are spending our dollars on salaries
and benefits and that comes in at 78%. Um purchase services are things like our busing, architect work, um attorneys, those types of of um services that we contract for. The main budgets of the um of the uh 25
payable 26 is uh the general fund, community service fund, and our debt service fund. So each school can each district can levy in 40 different categories um for each
year. Um levy limits are set then by uh state law and voter voter approval. Uh the next slide hopefully there that looks a little better. Uh the next slide then is comparing where we were in actual um FY25
excable 25 and where we are in uh FY27 which is payable 26. So we are seeing decreases in uh the general funds in pretty much all of the categories. Um we do see uh a
decrease in our voter approved referend referendum as well as our local and uh local optional our equity revenue transition etc. So all of those are showing a slight decrease. Um
and uh uh if you continue down um you will see then that we also have uh some adjustments uh remployment those different pieces. You're seeing a slight increase to our annual OPED amount and
that is um that was planned for to have um more funding opportunity with that OPED. Overall, we are decreasing our proposed levy from FY26 to FY27 by 4.28% in the general fund.
We will go ahead now and take a look at our other funds uh that are on the levy. And this is our community service fund as well as our debt service fund. Um again we are seeing some decreases in our basic uh community education as well
as our early childhood but then we do see an increase for our child age care as as well as adjustments then and I should uh let you know that adjustments are usually changes in student counts up or down and so it's going to hit
different funds in different ways. Um, fund one is mostly driven just on student counts where fund four has more aid available at this point in time. The legislature um did up the amount of aid that they're providing for different uh
community service type of of uh activity. Uh so you are seeing an increase of 6.47% for our community service and then we go into our debt service. Um, we have our voterapproved uh referendum. Uh,
other other debt service is basically where we are. We don't have voter approved referendum. Excuse me. So, our other debt service, you can see a slight increase as well as an increase in our longterm facilities. And that's again the projects that that uh the board had
approved to um uh work on those Hback projects. um the reduction for excess fund balance and again remember that um we are required by law to collect 105% of any
uh debt um and that is to cover for anyone that is unable to uh pay their property taxes. Um this evens out throughout the years if we want to um just make sure that we don't have a big swing one way or another. So that's just
an area that I kind of pay attention to to ensure that there isn't a large swing there. And again, then we have some adjustments. And uh the total then for debt service was an increase of $120,225 or 5.88%.
So then when we take a look at the total amount for all the funds um we have a decrease of $273,660 or 2.22 decrease in our property taxes. The next slide is just a summary of that comparison data. And so it just simply
lays out our general fund, community ed, and debt service uh showing pay 25 versus pay 26, what that difference is, and then the change that is shown in uh percentage form of -2.22.
So, uh the the uh next steps basically is for um the school board will vote um on the proposed levy for pay 26 to be recognized in fiscal year 27 and that
will come uh later on in the meeting. Um, we do list some key talking points here just for our public to remember that property valuation increases do not necessarily mean we're getting more revenue. Um, and in fact, increasing
valuations can lead to less aid and more levy because it looks like we're property rich. And so then the state has their formulas where they calculate that information. And then the third bullet, as different portions of the property tax um pie
changes, the property tax burden shifts from taxpayers with smaller increases to taxpayers with larger increases. The next is just uh the recommendation that you'll see later on in um in the board present uh the board agenda. Um,
the total 2026 proposed property tax is a decrease from the actual 2025 by 2.22% or $273,662. The recommendation for the board is to approve uh the 2025 pay 2026 property
tax of 12,64,41059. And I uh am happy to take any public comments at this time. >> Miss Racer, we do have an individual signed up and that would be Mr. Tom Molen. >> Okay. >> Uh so Tom, do you want to come forward
and I would like for him to speak into the mic as well or however you wish. Have a seat. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. >> Yeah. Good evening. My name is Tom Molen. I live in Farable. I pay property taxes. So I feel I'm kind of a
shareholder in the school district. Uh I'm kind of amazed that uh there's such a big crowd here tonight because this is such an important topic. But you mentioned something and the whole reason that I wanted to mention uh is the inflationary spiral we see in property
values. Um for people who are on fixed incomes the uh uh effect is devastating. the reality as as you just expressed that if we have hyperinflated property values, we start to lose levy. Uh so
there's a there's a lot of complex economics involved. Uh I commend you on putting together a really good program. I like to see that mine went down this year. That's kind of cool. The reality is though, I think the community is disconnected on the complexities of the
financing of the school system. And uh I think it's evident, look behind me. I mean, it's a big town and we're talking about their money and uh they must have a lot more than I thought they did because they're not here and I hope
they're watching. But the the what I'd like to express is a warning. uh at the state level right now. You're probably aware that there are a few financial problems starting to manifest themselves uh in in some inadequate management and
other things. The the spiral down though to this level as we look into the 26 27 uh period of time I think is going to be very critical to be very aware of. The federal government obviously is uh loves to spend money we don't have. the state
government is falling into a an abyss, if you will, financially. And so I think it's critically important as we look forward to look at the community. And if we have an independent school district, we need to have a much higher level of
of economic relationship between the community and the school board and the school system. And it has to be done in a fair way. Uh, one of the things that I personally don't like is when people who don't own property get to vote on how
much property tax property owners have. Uh, Aristotle, uh, John, you probably went to school with Aristotle, >> but he had Aristotle had some rather unflattering things to say about letting the the
masses uh, predict the outcomes of the property owners. I paraphrase that, but uh in reality uh I've been to uh county meetings, state meetings looking at taxation and and the fairness of it. And I think there's a really good example in
Farble right now. Uh a major company wants to build a building and the county and the city of Farbo realize and recognize that the taxes are so high they have to give them some kind of break in order to build the building. uh these are hybrid one-off solutions and I I think that they kind of
negatively impact the overall uh continuity if you will property value tax lobbies uh the valuations uh are really important. So uh I apologize the rest of the community must be at a basketball game or something tonight and I I'd like to say something more
offensive but I really don't have anything. So thank you for the opportunity and again uh and my my message if and keep it simple is going forward we're about to experience some really tough economic times uh the for people understand things like the reverse repo market in the banking
industry uh when people look at the hyperinflation of a fiat currency those things are going to come cascading down on us here and I think it's really important that the community hunker down I would encourage you to really become that independent school district let's demand and the state give us our fair
share. Let's demand the federal government give us our fair share, but let's decide what to do with it here. We don't need unfunded mandates. >> Thank you. >> I believe that was the only sign up. Correct, Miss Kenny?
>> With that, I believe we are completed with the truth of taxation. Correct in that? Thank you Miss Raceler very much. Again we will be dealing it's uh we'll be dealing with the uh
approval of the 2025 payable 2026 levy certification and agenda item 11A. So we will go back now to agenda item five. We're on 5B. Uh were there any other school board members
have anything else to contribute here as well? Okay, see none. Uh next uh items information, Superintendent Benty. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um so Jefferson first graders brought their own parade to
life. They learned about uh Tony Sarge or Sar and the history of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Uh through this themed unit, students practiced sequencing and reading, journaling and writing, and creating timelines while exploring the uh design process and
content. Right. Our Spanish immersion team recently visited the immersion school in Chaska to learn from their successful program as we prepare to expand our Spanish immersion program into the third grade next school year. Um currently that program is prek
through 2 grade at this point. Miss Kutes and Griffin's uh fashion merchandising and design class, visited the worldrenowned Farbo Mill. Students toured the historic facility, saw the production process up close, and learned about textiles from the mill's
designers. The visit gave students a behind-the-scenes look at how raw materials become highquality fabric fabrics, providing real world insight into fashion, design, and merchandising. Uh, last week, Miss Williams Peterson's fifth grade class invited their parents
to hear them perform monologues from Espironza Rising. Students worked hard to bring the characters to life, practicing expression, tone, and emotion. Parents enjoyed watching their students showcase their creativity and storytelling skills.
Um, our English learner department attended the Minnesota English Learner Education Conference in St. Paul. Uh the statewide conference brought teachers together uh from across Minnesota dedicated to supporting multilingual students. And then we had some friendly compet
competition between our high school and our middle school. They faced off uh to see who could raise the most food and money for their food drive. Um this was done by the uh staff, not the students. Uh the high school came out on top just
barely with approximately $235 items collected and $1,020 in donations to the middle school's $990 in donations. So I believe the the wager was that the middle school administration had to go over and then make breakfast or give
breakfast to the high school staff. So, uh, the Farbo Area Learning Center continued its long-standing tradition of sharing a homemade Thanksgiving meal to celebrate their sense of community. Uh, Miss Wells kindergarten and Miss Katie's preschool class have started a buddy
classrooms approach at Roosevelt. Last week, the preschoolers visited the kindergarten room for their second get together of the year. Students immediately began building connections. Uh the blocks, the sensory table, the office dramatic play area, and the writing center were the biggest hits as
buddies explored and learned together. Uh the DECA program completed its community service project by uh creating holiday greeting cards and door decorations for Farbo Senior Living. The students delivered the finished cards and decorations to the memory care unit,
spreading holiday cheer to residents. Um, and then finally, I'm excited to share that our district-wide campaign for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library brought in right around $6,000. We don't have the exact total yet, but we will. Um, this will provide a brand new book
to 200 children in Rice County every month for a year. Mr. Chair, that concludes my report. >> Thank you, Mr. Benty. Move on to agenda item number six, public comment. Uh we do have one sign
up for public comment. It's Miss Janet Molen like to come forward and her topic is payments from school district 656 to Chamber of Commerce. >> Because my property taxes actually went up 16.1% overall. Although I did see
that the school board numbers didn't go up or school costs didn't go up as much as they were expected to at that joint boards meeting. But really you have to have addressed the payroll and benefits number which is out of control. Okay.
So, what I really wanted to say though was um uh 656 is one of the many taxpayers funding the chamber of commerce in different ways and it's a private sector organization that is not accountable or or have oversight by the
uh taxpayer and so I' I'm like when I asked Nort specifically for information about what he was receiving from the various organizations that are taxpayer funded He of course is a came back with he's a private sector organization and not
subject to taxpayer questions. But so I'm asking you directly um please describe the role of the Chamber of Commerce in moving private sector daycare into the public sector prek program that you are currently working
on. And then I would also like uh itemization of the payments made to the Chamber of Commerce for fiscal year 23 24 and year-to- date 25. I have given given you a copy of my request and I'd like the dates and the amounts
uh paid and the reason for um for those payments. I also uh put a footnote in there. Um the reason why I would oppose this moving of the uh daycare uh industry into the public school
system is because the school systems cost per student is far greater than the average cost of daycare in the private sector. and I included a link to that information so you could review it to
your for yourself and I do thank you for your time. >> Thank you. >> Move on to agenda item number seven, our consent agenda. The consent agenda consists of the minutes from the
November 24th, 2025 uh business meeting, employment, additional assignments, and other and authorization of payments, transfers, and investment accounts. Uh is there a motion for approval of the consent agenda?
>> So moved. >> Director Wolf, do we have a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Director Kudson. Uh there's no discussion on the consent agenda. All in favor of that motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. >> I. >> Excuse me. >> Let's do that again. All in favor of the
motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion passes. Thank you. >> Uh, agenda items eight. Uh, district advisory committee, no report. Nine, policy committee, no report. Agenda item 10, other committees, no
report. Uh, other matters for agenda item 11. 11A consider approval of the 2025 payable 2026 levy certification. Is there a mo a motion for approval of the 2025 payable 2026 levy certification?
So move. >> Thank you Director Robisho. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you Director Budro. Discussion. Discussion. Director Moore. >> Uh yes. Okay. I actually brought my proposed uh property tax statement with me and I
just wanted to because I I noticed under the uh school district 656 there's the voter approved and then the other I'm assuming that's not non- voter approved. Correct. Um actually um that went down but my
overall taxes went up because I have to factor in the county and the township. Um I I guess there's a decrease of 2.22%. Correct. >> Yes. >> Yes. And I do appreciate the decrease
rather than an increase. Um but given that our long-term projected enrollment is going down the next few years and some constituents property taxes increasing dramatically and I've been hearing from people uh I really don't
think this decrease of 2.2 22% is enough. So, I'm a bit conflicted here. I like the decrease, but I I think it should be more of a decrease. I think there are people that I've heard even 25% of their with there's been an
increase in property taxes and I didn't break it down to they didn't break it down to the school district. But I think we're kind of on a slippery slope here and I think we're going to run into problems. So, like I said, I'm a bit conflicted on this. I like it that I I really appreciate that it's a decrease
but I think it should be more so >> discussion. Director Robishaw. >> Thank you Mr. Chair. Just a comment and correct me but you know we're one of three taxing authorities in this area
and I think people have to look at their tax proposed tax statement on the evaluation that has gone up. Um and that evaluation is driving taxes on the three entities um
on the three entities that are taxing citizens in this area. Uh and um it's the valuation and public comment alluded to that that's really driving the the taxes more
than anything else. So we're just one of three. Um and all entities are having their truth and taxation hearing. Um so I think it it um yes we are looking at reducing our tax uh burden on the
taxpayers in in our district which is more than the city of Farbull. Um but it's only one of three. I think you have to scrutinize the other two entities to really get a good picture of what's happening to our tax base.
comments session. >> Mr. Chairman, >> director Woodro, >> I'm just thankful that it is going down this year and whether it's 2.22% or 2%. I mean, I think that's something
to be to feel good about. We can't control the other taxing entities. We can only control ours to some extent. And uh I think it's a good thing. >> Mr. Chair,
>> uh good morning. >> As I said, I'm a bit conflicted, so I think I'm going to abstain. I'm I'm not sure what the procedure for that is, but is this a roll call vote >> or not? >> When we move, you can mention >> Yeah, I I just I think I'm going to
abstain because I like I said, I'm conflicted. I'm glad it's going down, but I don't believe it's going down enough. So, thank you, >> Director Wolf. Uh Mr. Mr. Chair, like other comments said, um I'm thankful it's going down a bit. I think every every taxpayer wishes uh it would go
down a little bit more. Um inflation is there in many areas, let alone taxes, insurance costs, and all that. Um as director Robashaw mentioned, we're one of three and um I believe I don't want to misspeak, but
I believe ours is probably the only one going down. I think the city and county are both increasing and I'm not blaming them. That's their decisions and what they do. But uh >> um anyway, I I concur with everybody else.
So from my seat, if you looking at my tax statements, if you have a issue, if I have an issue with that, I'm going to go to the one that is raising him the most or have have that. So I know between the city, the county and townships and those that live in the
country and the school district that had many comments from many of our constituents that say thank you and um we're doing what we are doing with with the money we're receiving. So is there any further discussion?
Hearing none. So we have a motion for approval of the 2025 payable 2026 levy certification. All in favor of that motion signify by saying I >> I >> opposed >> and I >> Yes me
>> extension have uh six eyes zero nays one abstension >> Mr. Chair, I believe that turns into a 70 vote and abstension goes with the majority. >> The extension does go with the majority. So, it does go does go 70. Thank you for that clarification.
Uh 11B consider adopting a resolution 26-07 establishing combined polling places for multiple precincts and and designating hours during which the polling places will remain open for voting for school
districts school district elections not held on the day of a statewide election. Is there a motion for approval of resolution 26-07 as I just read? So move. >> Thank you, Director Budro. Is there a second?
Chair will second it. Uh discussion maybe for explanation. Uh Superintendent Benty or Director of Finance, Miss Braeler, anyone?
>> Um Jamie, do you want to actually explain it since you have done the voting as a an individual before? So, as far as microw
Very good, >> Mr. Chairman. >> Director Woodro, >> there is a memorandum on in the agenda that can be explained to the public and as as Jamie mentioned, uh it's it's really just that there maybe was a
little error in in the precinct one and two in Northfield. We didn't split that out. It's what the memorandum says. So it's it has nothing to do with a future referendum that we're planning. This is
just a correction. >> Very good clarification. Thank you. Yes, in studying that I noticed that as well. So very good. Any further discussion? Discussion hearing? None. This is a action item. So
roll call please. Uh Director Steves. >> Linda Budro. >> I. >> Candace Kudson. >> Hi. >> Linda Moore. >> Hi. Gary Robashad. >> Hi, >> Cassie Steves. I >> Chad Wolf. >> Hi, >> John Bellingham. >> Hi. >> Resolution passes 70. >> Thank you. 11 C. Consider approving the
changes to the nonaffiliated administrative operations administrative, sorry, operations and family support specialist employment agreement for 2025 through 2027. Is there a motion for approving the changes to the non-affiliated
administrative operations and family support specialist employment agreement? >> So moved. >> Thank you, Director Wolf. >> Second, director Robisho. And discussion again once again remember the dis discussion will be germanine to the
motion as stated. >> Mr. Chairman, director, >> I would like to recuse myself. I have a conflict here. >> Thank you. discussion. Director Moore, >> I just have a question. Uh, why are we giving raises to administrators when our
achievement levels are so low? That's my question. >> Rhetorical >> not in compliance or with the uh Germaine to the motion. Further discussion. Any further discussion?
Hearing none. Motion for approval for the changes of the non-affiliated administrative operations and family support specialist employment agreement. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed? >> No. >> Extension or you you
>> I recuse myself. >> Recuse. Escape. So we don't have a vote. So motion passes. Five one. Agenda item 12, dates to remember. Uh December 11th, 2025 at 7:45 a.m. facilities committee meeting. December
12th at 11:00 a.m. uh joint boards meeting. And I believe that's been switched out to is the government center. Is that correct? The government center. Thank you. January 5th, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. is our organizational meeting. Agenda item number 13. Is there
adjournment? Is there a motion to adjurnn? >> I'll make the motion. >> Thank you. Thank you, Director Gudson. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you, Director Roishau. Discussion. Discussion. Discussion. Hearing none. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I.
>> I. >> Opposed. Motion passes. We are journ. Thank you.